Thanks to Jeff at The Ham Station, was able to get my BC780XLT at about 10:30AM EST today. All I can say is - WOW!!!!One Note: The scanner does NOT come with a programming cable. It's just a standard 9-pin male/female cable you can pick up at the local computer store.
Reading the manual will be a DEFINITE MUST!!!! Repeat: YOU GOTTA READ THE MANUAL. The menu system is pretty neat and fairly intuitive once you play around with the scanner. All of the familiar keystrokes on the earlier BC235, BC245, and BC895 are the same on the BC780XLT. The menu just makes it easier to use.
Evansville, Indiana, where The Ham Station is located uses an EDACS system for public safety. Caught several I-Call's during initial testing. Pretty neat.
AMR Ambulance in Evansville uses an LTR system. CAUTION: The frequencies must be programmed in a specific order, presumably in Home Repeater Order ??? Anyway, this needs a little more investigating by myself to figure out - luckily the system only uses three frequencies.
780 did fine on the local Motorola SMR and on conventional frequencies. Overall, it's well worth the wait.
At 30 years old, I now confirm my belief that there IS a Santa Claus - I got my BC780XLT for Christmas.
73's and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Chris Dees
KD4YGG
Dubois County, Indiana EMA Unit #19-685